Council advances police minimum-education rule to third reading after staff and civil-service review

Bexley City Council held a second reading on Ordinance 35-25, which would revise the Civil Service Commission rules and the minimum education requirements for police officer candidates.

Councilmember Miss Lampe said HR consultant Emily Buckley reviewed comparable requirements from roughly 30 other jurisdictions and confirmed the proposed language aligns with common practice. Mister Marcelino said he supports high standards and noted concerns that a GED minimum may be a low entry bar if the city wants to emphasize recruiting highly qualified candidates.

Mister Silverman asked whether raising educational minimums would pose legal risk; City Attorney Mark Fischel responded it would not create potential liability and noted the change originated with the police chief, who sought flexibility such as substituting military service for post-high-school coursework. Council agreed to leave the ordinance for a third reading and to invite the police chief to address the body at the next meeting.

Next step: Ordinance 35-25 will return for a third reading after the chief and Civil Service Commission provide additional context and justification.